Each year at FrightFest there is one movie that polarises the crowd. Whether it is down to its content or overall message, there is always at least one film that ruffles feathers. This year’s candidate is Onur Tukel’s Poundcake.
Tukel, who performs writing, directing and acting duties for the project, has created a film rampant with controversial views. Working on the mantra that society has become too sanitised, Poundcake spews forth all the taboo thoughts, ideas, and beliefs in people’s minds. Poundcake contains conversations around gender, sexuality, and anal sex, to name just three delicate topics discussed. Tukel holds nothing back, and so to some viewers, Poundcake will be a very confronting watch. Others will be able to look beyond the sensationalised character viewpoints to find a biting satire of modern society.
Set in New York City, Poundcake follows pockets of citizens as a serial killer stalks the city. The titular killer has an interesting victim profile as he is specifically killing straight white men. Since forever, straight white men have been seen as untouchable, and placing them into the crosshairs is an interesting idea. More so, the choice of victim leads to no one actually caring about the killer. The topic becomes a point of fascination for several local podcasters, but all hold little empathy for the victims, viewing the scenario as ‘about time someone put them in their place’. The victim pool is also not bothered about their imminent danger. This stems from a lifetime of privilege and never having to learn to safeguard themselves as women, homosexuals, and people of colour have had to. It’s an intriguing angle and just one of the many spiky edges within Poundcake.
With the community relatively unbothered about a killer in their midst, Tukel himself has little interest in following him. Murders happen off-screen; the most that is seen are victims being apprehended by Poundcake. Poundcake instead focuses on these groups of people and their inaction to events. Tukel’s film is more a satirical slice of life than either a serial killer thriller or slasher movie. With attention focused on Tukel’s draft of characters the audience is invited into their headspaces and it is here that the aforementioned hot takes are revealed. These moments have the potency to stir all manner of emotions in the viewer. With its no-holds-barred approach to opinion, Poundcake will almost certainly generate some heated discussions post screening.
A controversial and confrontational film, Poundcake pulls no punches with its honesty. Tukel’s frankness will be a step too far for many, but Poundcake is a film that encourages discourse and debate. How much the viewer can take will depend on their own sensibilities; for some Poundcake will be an offensive mess, for others a rip-roaring satire. One thing is for certain, there will be few sat on the fence.
Poundcake
Summary
Things get controversial in Onur Tukel’s Poundcake, which is certain to generate some heated conversations.
Poundcake was reviewed at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest 2023.
